California Grocers Association Assures Public of Food Supply

Following California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order to stay at home, the California Grocers Association (CGA) issued a statement this week seeking to reassure consumers that there is still enough food and essential supplies for all, as long as shoppers would cease hoarding such supplies.

Ronald Fong, President and CEO of the CGA state in the statement:

“In these uncertain times, Californians can be assured that grocery stores will remain open and that food and essential supplies remain plentiful. The bare shelves you are occasionally seeing do not indicate lack of supply. It is a temporary result of consumers overbuying given the understandable worry right now. The supply and distribution systems are prepared to accommodate this behavior for a day or two during holidays, but not for extended periods of time.

“The men and women at grocery stores and distribution centers throughout the state are working day and night to catch up with demand. Hiring is increasing for both stores and distribution centers to ensure product moves as quickly as possible to store shelves.

“We are all looking for some normalcy in our lives and going back to our typical shopping patterns are an important part of that. Everyone can help stop this unnatural cycle of demand by simply buying only what you need for a week and curbing the tendency to over-buy. Getting shopping patterns back to normal will reduce stress on the distribution system and can go a long way toward creating some normalcy in our grocery stores.”

“Californians can rest assured there is enough for all of us if we just buy smart and don’t overfill our carts.”

The CGA is a nonprofit, statewide trade association representing 300 retailers operating more than 6,000 brick-and-mortar stores, and approximately 150 grocery supply companies. The association has also launched the website EnoughforallCA.com for further consumer education.